Notary and Commissioner for Taking Affidavits

Services provided

The University offers notary and commissioner services to University faculty, students, staff, alumni and retirees for matters related to University business. Examples of University-related business include:

• taking declarations to support financial aid applications;
• taking affidavits of good character to facilitate registration of students with a professional body related to their course of study at the University;
• taking declarations to support passport applications for faculty, staff and students who need to travel in the course of their employment or studies at the University;
• taking declarations to support immigration/visa applications for faculty, staff and students to enable such persons to work or study at the university or go abroad in connection with their work or studies at the University;
• verifying student identities for background checks requested by co-op employers;
• witnessing signatures on agreements related to University business; and
• certifying or taking declarations verifying copies of documents, provided the documents or uses to which the documents will be put are related to University business.

Any matters unrelated to University business, such as personal travel (passport/visa applications, consent to travel for minors) or personal legal matters (family law, real estate, business transactions), are not eligible for University notary or commissioner services. For personal matters, please consult a local notary or commissioner.

Do I Need a Notary or a Commissioner?

• Commissioner for Taking Affidavits: Authorized to take affidavits, oaths, declarations, or sworn statements only if the document is related to University business. They can also witness signatures on documents such as letters of invitation for Canadian visitor’s visas, provided it is related to University business. A commissioner cannot notarize documents.
• Notary Public: Can perform all the services a commissioner can, as long as they are related to University business and additionally:
  • Certify copies of documents as true and accurate.
  • Witness and notarize the signing of agreements (attesting to the fact that the signature is that of the person signing); 
  • Notarize passport and permanent resident card applications (if a guarantor is not required).
  • Notarize letters of invitation for Canadian visitor’s visas if the visa office requests it.

If you're unsure whether you need a notary or a commissioner, refer to the instructions on the relevant document/form or contact the issuing entity (e.g., government agency, co-op employer) for clarification.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

To ensure your appointment goes smoothly, please bring the following:

• All forms/documents, completed but not signed or dated.
• One piece of government-issued, photo identification (expired IDs or photocopies are not acceptable).
• Your student or employee ID card.
• Use your current address (not your usual address) when completing forms (e.g., for background checks).

If you fail to bring the required documentation, the notary or commissioner will not be able to assist you. If there are concerns about your identity or the document’s relevance to university business, you will be referred to an external notary or commissioner. Each notary or commissioner makes the determination on whether the matter qualifies as university business on a case-by-case basis.

Location, availability and fees